SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top automaker, said Tuesday that it will start mass production of cars powered by hydrogen this week for the first time in the world.

Hyundai Motor said it will roll out hydrogen fuel cell versions of its popular Tucson ix sport utility vehicle at its plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan starting Friday, and plans to sell 1,000 units around the world, including Europe, by 2015.